Meza London — Restaurant in London

As a local, I've eaten here a number of times (as well as their former Broadway branch). I eat Levantine frequently. This is more than above average fare.

I dined this evening with two others. Neither had been here before. This was the first for me eating in the back part of the restaurant.

It's very tastefully designed and decorated: like a log cabin with wooden flooring and oriental features. For a summer evening, the temperature and air was well regulated.

We had the mutabbal (cold mashed grilled aubergine starter) with sambusek jibneh (warm pastries filled with cream cheese) accompanied by warmed pitta. For mains, we got the mixed grill and we also ordered some kibbeh (minced lamb in a fried wheat shell). All were garnished with pickles and lettuce. Complementary small desserts afterwards.

Everyone was satisfied by quality. Staff are attentive, friendly and responsive. We asked for extra slices of lemons. They have obvious pride in what they do.

Don't be tempted to order too much. What we had was sufficient. I'll be back (many more times) as will my companions too. The total came to just over £40....

Ordered the mixed grill with sambousek and chips. Let’s start on a positive note: the sambousek was fresh, well-seasoned, and full of flavour—definitely the highlight of the meal. The chips, while soggy, were at least decently salted and just about passable when paired with the garlic sauce.

Now, onto the main event—the mixed grill (£18 per portion), which I ordered based on the glowing reviews this place has received. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a major letdown.

Visually, the grill looked promising: colourful and seemingly full of flavour. But looks can be deceiving. The meat cubes were tough, chewy, and completely bland like eating plain white A4 paper same story with the chicken. As for the skewers? I honestly think they would have more flavour if they were dragged across the pavement outside and thrown on the grill. It all tasted like frozen meat thrown on a grill just long enough to get some char marks.

I’m honestly baffled at the high ratings. For the price, the quality and portion size just don’t add up. There are plenty of far better...

A female customer was physically attacked by a male staff member in the Broadway branch of this restaurant at lunch time on the 02/06/19. Her phone was taken by the staff preventing her from calling for help and failling to call for help themselves. A female staff member was watching and laughing while four other male staff members were passively watching and only one intervened to stop the alteraction. When the police arrived, the staff present made false accusations against the female customer, in support of their colleague. They called their boss and he suggested to his employees to clear the place quickly before the police arrives, which they effectively tried to do. A more sort of a gang place rather than a safe environment and food is very mediocre for those who know about...